Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, criticized the Karnataka government for its alleged anti-farmer approach. Ashoka warned that if farmers are continuously harassed and forced onto the streets, the government would face consequences. He highlighted the distress faced by farmers due to drought-like conditions and acute water scarcity.
Referring to the ongoing farmers’ protest in Mandya, Ashoka pointed out the government’s failure in addressing farmers’ demands. He mentioned the farmers’ protest on the Bengaluru–Mysuru Highway, where they were demanding their share of irrigation water from the Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir. Ashoka questioned the government’s insensitivity towards the plight of the farmers.
Ashoka criticized the police action against protesters, noting that over 100 farmers were detained during a protest at the office of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam. He expressed concern over the drying up of crops in the KRS command area, including sugarcane, due to the lack of irrigation water. Ashoka urged the government to release water from the reservoir to save standing crops.
The BJP leader called out Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, stating that governance should not involve forcing farmers onto the streets. He demanded immediate action to address the farmers’ grievances and provide compensation for crop losses. Ashoka warned the government against disregarding the farming community’s concerns, emphasizing the importance of farmers’ well-being.
